As well, although he remains a cardinal, he has stated that he will not participate in the conclave - the first time anyone can remember a cardinal who was available for the conclave recusing himself.
Is it just me, or is the article dancing around the issue way too fucking much with the word ‘inappropriate’. I assume, of course, they mean ‘unwanted sexual advance’ or ‘groping’ or ‘molesting’ or a lot of other words that would me appropriate than ‘inappropriate’.
There are a lot of thing that are not sexual that are still inappropriate.
Kinda hard to tell. It sounds like the language is coming from people within the Church, and the Church presumably feels that any sexual behavior on the part of a Cardinal is inappropriate, even if it was of the “two consenting adults” variety.
But in any case, the more detailed description of the first case is pretty clearly sexual harassement, and so inappropriate in the legal sense and not just the “against Church rules” sense.
He is beyond the age limit (80) for participating in a conclave, so he is just abiding by the same rules that apply to other cardinals. If he said he would participate anyway, that would be surprising.
Well, it was ‘inappropriate’ enough for the victims to go to the Papal Nuncio and for the Vatican to give him the premature elbow. His resignation was due to take effect next month, after the conclave, but the Vatican has issued his marching orders with immediate effect.
Oops! I had a brain fart there - the papal abdication is in the news so much that I was thinking of the wrong person. However, looks like O’Brien does not have a choice any longer anyway.
Scene: The conclave to choose a new Pope, a few weeks from now. In front of the chamber is the guy running the show.
"We all know that we have had some problems, so before we begin with voting, I’m afraid that we will have to go through a screening procedure. Remember, God and Jesus are watching you. And I have the Google.
"All cardinals who are eligible, please stand. Yes, you can use your walkers!.
"Thank you. Now, all those who do not wish to be considered, please sit. Ah, thank you. Your humility is noted.
"Now, all those who have acted inappropriately with priests or nuns, please sit. That many?
"Now, this may be difficult, but all those who have acted inappropriately with youths, no matter when, please sit.
"And all those who have covered up priests acting inappropriately, please sit.
He surveys the room. “That was more than I thought.” He points. "You are the new Pope. Congratulations.
Just because I am bored, that’ll be Giovanni Re, the senior cardinal-bishop participating. (The Dean and Sub-Dean of the College of Cardinals are too old.)
